WB Engineers | Consultants to design I.T. infrastructure for Ogilvy

Work is proceeding to create and implement the extensive IT infrastructure for the new offices of advertising agency Ogilvy New York, for its move in May to its new 565,000 s/f New York headquarters at 636 Eleventh Ave. WB Engineers | Consultants is the New York City-based engineering and technology consulting firm that has been retained to design the IT infrastructure and manage its implementation for Ogilvy New York. WB is designing a 2,000 s/f equipment room, 24 telecommunications rooms, and a structured cable plant, including a fiber backbone and the installation of augmented Category 6 UTP cable at every desk. In addition, WB is performing a project management role for Ogilvy's IT department. This role includes managing the various technology vendors and the IT team, and coordinating IT requirements with architect Gensler, project manager Jones Lang LaSalle, and construction manager StructureTone. Finally, WB is designing the physical electronic security systems for both Ogilvy and the building owner, The Hakimian Organization. "We interviewed many engineering firms," said Gunther Schumacher, chief operating officer of Ogilvy. "This is no simple move. We knew that whatever consulting firm we hired would have to help us turn a 100 year old manufacturing building into a highly flexible, technology-driven agency environment. WB is handling this assignment beautifully." "Ogilvy's move is a major and complex undertaking, and our client wanted to make sure it was handled as smoothly and expeditiously as possible, while keeping costs in line with a realistic project budget," said Peter Babigian, the principal responsible for the technology consulting practice at WB. "We're delighted to have been chosen for this assignment." "Our work entails many significant components. Most noteworthy is the infrastructure design, which involves the newest grade of cabling to support converged network services, including VOIP, on-line collaboration, real-time video and rapid transfer of media content." One of the most interesting aspects of the assignment, according to Babigian, is that WB's work will ensure that wireless telephones - not just cell phones, but all wireless phones - can be used anywhere in the building to which Ogilvy is moving. "The assignment comprises extensive WB involvement in technology analysis and design, risk analysis, and benchmarking, and employs a rigorous project approach that encompasses the management of scope, time, cost, quality, resources, and communication to ensure a successful relocation."